3 of us here all shoot 300's. I have used Ballistic tips for many years and they've done a fantastic job for me on WT deer, Mule deer, Elk and pigs. Couple of friends have switched to Accubonds (the white tip ones) and in 4 animals we've had trouble recovering their animal. Is the Accubond punching thru without expanding? Would really like to hear some opinions from folks in the know.

My green tip ballistic tip drops everything in it's tracks, Elk and all, and has for many years. Just curious.

In my opinion, your experience is opposite the norm. BTs are usually the ones that fragment. ABs stay more intact, expand, and punch through. ABs have been perfect for me so far. But I, personally, also never have had a problem with BTs.

the accubond is a controlled expansion bullet made for deeper penetration.

it could be the weights they are using are too heavy and the accubonds are not opening up at .300 win mag velocities. the 180 grain accubond is not a deer bullet....if they are handloading the 150's I would think that would be ok, but still its not a quick expanding bullet

I would go back to ballistic tips

i use the accubonds in my .257 wby for what its worth, but its pushing 3500 fps

_________________________

Originally Posted By: Nogalus Prairie

I think the deer hunting shows and "Bro' Country" are going to be the downfall of this once-great nation.

While that is fast it's not screaming....my guess is in that weight they are designed to penetrate deep into big game and a whitetail deer does not have enough constitution to open thst bullet up

I had a client shoot a deer with a 180 grain accubonds from a .325 wsm and he made a good shot, and the deer did everything but go down quickly. I have seen more deer than I care to count get shot with Barnes bullets and run off, dead on their feet, like nothing happened.

Ballistics tips are so explosive even in heavier weight .30 cals( they have thicker jackets starting in the .28 cal. IIRC) that the results are much more dramatic.

I shoot ballistic tips in my 7mm and have had great luck with them over the years in a variety of calibers

_________________________

Originally Posted By: Nogalus Prairie

I think the deer hunting shows and "Bro' Country" are going to be the downfall of this once-great nation.

I have shot both and honestly havent seen enough difference to judge and most stuff falls. But after a little experience with both I prefer the rapid expanding bullets better. I'm really liking Berger vlds now

The only difference in the BT and AB is that the AB is bonded, the BT is not. Nosler has made most of the hunting BT's to be much tougher than the original versions, which is a good thing IMO. The AB will retain more weight as well.